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As part of our VINTAGES recap, we asked our critics: “If you could buy only one wine from this release – which one would it be and why?” I suspect many WineAlign readers will be opening a bottle of Sonoma and Napa wine this weekend. It just seems impossible that a place so beautiful, and seemingly […]More

How to Enjoy Wine More without Spending More, and Top Smart Buys By John Szabo, MS with notes David Lawrason, Sara d’Amato & Michael Godel As we head into the weekend with a VINTAGES release full of Napa treasures, our hearts ache for those affected by the numerous wildfires in the region. There is very […]More

Your Guide to Best Values, Limited Time Offers & Bonus Air Miles selections at the LCBO Delists and Deep Discounts by Steve Thurlow The LCBO has many deep discounts this month so, along with two delists, eight wines joined my Top50 Best Values List. I have selected twelve wines to highlight for you off the new […]More

Zinfandel/Primitivo

Zinfandel is a variety of red grape planted in over 10 percent of California wine vineyards. The grapes typically produce a robust red wine, although a semi-sweet rose (blush-style) wine called White Zinfandel has six times the sales of the red wine in the United States. The grape's high sugar content can be fermented into levels of alcohol exceeding 15 per cent.
The taste of the red wine depends on the ripeness of the grapes from which it is made. Red berry fruits like raspberry predominate in wines from cooler areas, whereas blackberry, anise and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas and in wines made from the earlier-ripening Primitivo clone.